2 groups clash after Vallabhbhai Patel's statue pulled down in Ujjain
Ujjain (PTI): Members of two communities clashed and pelted each other with stones after the statue of former deputy prime minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was pulled down by some persons in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district on Thursday morning, officials said.
Heavy security has been deployed in Makdone area, located about 50 km from the district headquarters, where the incident took place, they said.
In a video of the incident which went viral on social media, a group of people were seen pulling down the statue with a tractor.
They wanted that a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar be installed at the site, instead of Patel's, police sources said.
The statue of Patel was installed at the site close to the Makdone bus stand late Wednesday night, they said.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Nitesh Bhargav told PTI over phone that they were inquiring when the statue was installed.
An investigation is underway after which cases would be registered, he said.
Asked about how many people were injured in the stone-pelting, he said, "No one has reported to us about it so far."
"Additional police force has been deployed. The situation is completely under control. We have removed the stones that were hurled by (members of) the two communities from the spot in Makdone area," Bhargav said.
So far, prohibitory order (to ban assembly of people) has not been issued, he said.
Clash erupted b/n members of #Dalits & #Patidar [#Patel] community in #MadhyaPradesh's #Ujjain last night.#Patidars, associated with the ruling party, wanted to build status of #SardarPatel. On the other hand Dalits want statue of #BRAmbedkar.
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) January 25, 2024
When members of #Dalit community… pic.twitter.com/GTmnrTUp9I
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Kejriwal inducts bodybuilders, wrestlers in AAP ahead of Delhi polls
New Delhi (PTI): Several sportspersons, including wrestlers and bodybuilders, joined the AAP in the presence of party chief Arvind Kejriwal here on Thursday, giving a boost to the party ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls.
Kejriwal welcomed Tilakraj, Rohit Dalal and Akshay Dilawari, who are associated with sports and fitness, at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office and handed party scarves and caps to them.
The former Delhi chief minister said around 70-80 bodybuilders and wrestlers have joined the party, adding that it will not only strengthen the outfit but also associate it more closely with health and fitness issues. He promised that after retaining power in the capital, the AAP will work towards resolving the issues faced by sportspersons.
Kejriwal said in the coming days, many more gymnasium owners and sportspersons will join the party.
Speaker of the outgoing Assembly Ram Niwas Goel said those who joined the AAP on Thursday have significant influence, especially in Delhi's gyms, and wanted to contribute to the party's mission.
Dalal praised the party's initiatives, such as free yoga classes and support for sports development, which inspired him to join it. "The work done for sportspersons and gyms is commendable. I want to contribute to this mission," he added.
Tilakraj expressed optimism about the sporting fraternity's growing involvement in politics. "Many players from Delhi are planning to join us. We are committed to working hard and strengthening the party," he said.
The AAP is aiming for a third consecutive full term in the Delhi polls and hoping that this strategic outreach to sports and fitness professionals will resonate with voters.
